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It is the end of the line for the Ford Escape. After 25 years as a fixture of Ford’s lineup, 2026 will be the compact SUV’s last model year. While the remaining inventory is still on sale, the 2026 Escape is unavailable for purchase in California and five other states that follow its emissions requirements, including Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Washington, and Vermont.
The Escape is currently Ford’s least expensive SUV, slotting just below the more rugged Bronco Sport in the company’s lineup.
The long-running Ford SUV received an interior and exterior refresh for the 2023 model year; since then, changes have been minimal. While it met with considerable fanfare upon its debut, the Escape is not getting a splashy send-off. Only minor tweaks to powertrain availability and standard equipment differentiate 2026 models from the prior year.
Six trim levels remain available: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid.
The Active starts at just under $32,000, while the range-topping ST-Line Elite lists for slightly more than $40,000. Despite its advanced powertrain, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) model is priced toward the middle of the lineup at about $37,000.
Four powertrains are available. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder producing 180 horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 250 hp is available. Both non-hybrid engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be configured with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
The hybrid powertrain includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The standard hybrid delivers 192 hp, while the PHEV delivers 210 hp. Electrified versions are available only with FWD. With a fully charged battery, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid is EPA-rated at 101 MPGe and can travel up to 37 miles on electric power alone.
The ST-Line Select sits in the middle of the Escape range and includes desirable creature comforts, including the 2.0-liter engine, AWD, heated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and a power liftgate. Upgrading to the Platinum trim adds the 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, synthetic leather seating, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The equipment is similar to the range-topping ST-Line Elite, without the sportier exterior styling.
Non-hybrid Escapes can accommodate 37.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Hybrid models can carry slightly less, at 34.4 and 60.8 cubic feet, respectively. When properly equipped, the 2026 Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
All versions of the Escape come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and blind spot warning. Additional safety features are available.
With the Escape being discontinued, Ford hopes buyers will look toward its Bronco Sport or Explorer models, which are similarly priced and offer more specialized performance options.
The Honda CR-V and the Hyundai Tucson are both compelling alternatives to the Escape, offering similar practicality and hybrid options. The Kia Sportage is another contender. Along with comparable pricing, the Sportage offers a long list of standard and available equipment, as well as sharp styling.
Ford is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of February 10, 2026, but it may have changed since then. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
John Coyle has spent two decades in the automotive industry. Over that time, he's driven Jeeps through Moab, tackled Fuji Speedway in a Lexus LFA, experienced the insanity of the Gumball 3000, and survived daily driving a 1978 Jaguar. He lives in Sacramento, California, with the coolest girl in the world and three black cats.
